Happy Halloweenie

So the party went well on Saturday night. E had about 20 kids show up. I didn't mean to imply I was also hosting a party. I only meant since E was hosting I would also be "present".
I would occasionally retreat into my bedroom from time to time to breathe.
I think I managed to stay in the background well enough. And I didn't dress up. I saved that for Monday night's Harvest sock-hop we boosters put together.
Let me just say, no kid nowadays knows what a sockhop means and when they are told it's a "Harvest" sock hop they think old people. Many asked if there were going to be lots of old people there. Sigh....
Anyway, it was attended well and the music was lively, the food was really good and the decor was awesome (I was helpful in that arena).
I dressed goth but apparently didn't hit the mark as many high schoolers asked me what my costume was...sigh...

Yesterday I went home halfway through the day because I barely could walk or talk I had so little energy. I spent the rest of the day on the couch and the evening in the chair. The kids got a taste of what it would be like if I were laid up completely. I don't know what the problem was but until this morning about 9 a.m., I was still feeling badly.

I have enjoyed everyone's posts lately but don't have much energy to add a comment. Keep up the good work.

3:10 pm
UPDATE: After canvassing the rooms looking for chocolate during their Fall parties (Yeah, we don't call it Halloween around here- it's the Bible Belt, after all), I managed several fixes, even though they were "snack sized". I was worried at first. All of 1st grade (4 rooms), many rooms in 2nd and all 3 5th grade rooms had nachos for their parties and 3rd grade had pizza....PIZZA and NACHOS!!! What the frak happened to candy????? Oh, what a world, what a world....

Saturday Preview

This is the last Saturday the band marches in filed competition. Last weekend it was Mountain Home, Ar. This weekend it's Rolla, Mo. I will be glad it's done. However, when E gets home tonight she is host (as am I) a Halloween party. I only hope the house is still standing tomorrow.

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Yesterday was the last day of our week-long "Say No To Drugs" week. Ending on a high note, the teachers teamed up for a very special Teacher Olympics. When I say special, I mean special. Relays such as everyone on a team runs to that team's suitcase, puts on all articles of clothing in said suitcase, claps 3 times, removes articles of clothing, and runs back to tag the next team mate. Of, course the kids enjoy this and we all are hams which makes it even more fun.

This morning early I was taking a walk with the full moon shining down wondrously at me. It fills me with peace and joy at the same time when I am alone and seeing things like this. Even if I am in a burg with dead cats and cars going by.

I have been seeing photos of wild places in woods and mountains that make me wish for days or weeks I could spend in the wild. I would be completely at home and the more alone the better. Some might not believe that but it's true.
NOt that I don't want to give those experiences to my children. I have been remiss in years past shunning that kind of trip since it's not so much their bag. Less E's than J- he would love going and not having to take a shower or do homework.
Perhaps in the days ahead we could spend more time outdoors on small trips.

But I need a BIG nature fix. Me, myself and I. That solitude is necessary for my function. No wonder I am not functioning well. It's been ages since I've had a nature walk.

I was reading a book about Jean Jacques Audubon, the esteemed wild bird artist. He followed his dream for more than 12 years to finish a book of prints of the wild birds of America. His family suffered, he suffered but they all worked on because his dream was so strong.

He took his dream out and examined it closely and frequently so his excitement and drive would be fed for this venture. It was never closed for his consideration. He never decided his family or he should perhaps let it go and find a nine-to-five (like that existed much in the 19th century). He knew- HE KNEW he wanted and needed to do this. And he was successful and ended his days living on a wonderful piece of land with his children and their families close by, world-renowned and at peace with himself.

There have been people lately who while seeing older years come, have wondered what might have been of their lives if they had followed other dreams or their big dream more closely. What might have happened if they had pushed more in another direction? More enjoyment or fulfillment? More headaches but more personal growth? I think these same things day in and day out. Weighing possibilities against realistic outcomes. I hate realistic but it is too much a part of me to disengage it.

After I read the Audubon book, I realize I didn't take my dream out often enough to make a difference. I lost the dream to making money, taking care of the realities of the world and living as I "should".

When I walked this morning, I was lost in amazment at the sight of that gigantic yellow-white moon. It gave me immense pleasure. Seeing it made me realize I should be spending more time doing things that get me into nature. It's the only thing that makes me feel so good. It is my dream.

Libations for me and the ghouls

Swamp thing- sounds interesting and the one i would mix up quickest.

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Blood orange martini

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brain hemorrhage

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Vampire's kiss

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Check out these crazy but most likely delish recipes. All nine. I have to choose something to mix up for next week. I don't give out candy, only cocktails at my house...

http://http://men.msn.com/guides/drinkstaticslideshow.aspx?cp-documentid=5578882&imageindex=9

THE BOTTLE OF WINE

For all of us who are married, were married, wish you were married, or wish you weren't married, this is something to smile about the next time you see a bottle of wine: Sally was driving home from one of her business trips in Northern Arizona when she saw an elderly Navajo woman walking on the side of the road. As the trip was a long and quiet one, she stopped the car and asked the Navajo woman if she would like a ride. With a silent nod of thanks, the woman got into the car. Resuming the journey, Sally tried in vain to make a bit of small talk with the Navajo woman. The old woman just sat silently, looking intently at everything she saw, studying every little detail, until she noticed a brown bag on the seat next to Sally. "What in bag?" asked the old woman. Sally looked down at the brown bag and said, "It's a bottle of wine. I got it for my husband. "The Navajo woman was silent for another moment or
two
Then speaking with the quiet wisdom of an elder, she said:



"Good trade....."

Sunday Family Get Together.

Mother's siblings

Nieces and nephews plus nephew-in-law and Sammy.

On the river Sunday.

E and Sammy in attendance. He is the greatest kid. I love having a baby in the family again and one that I actually get to see more than once a year. My nephew and his family live in Manhattan, Kansas and their 3 year old daughter never liked being held anyway. Sammy loves being held.

I had to post the picture I was singing opera in, too.

My sister said her friend asked her once why I seldom have a normal picture. I just can't do normal all the time.

I am goofy to the core.

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Half a day of school today to allow for parent- teacher conferences. Tomorrow is a whole day off. Yay! Seems like this first semester is full of days off, not that I am complaining but it like spinning my wheels working with kids, trying to get ahead.

Wordies- Salute!

My co-workers were worried about my falling out of my chair until they realized I was laughing uncontrollably.
My favs are highlighted.


Here is the Washington Post's Mensa Invitational which once again asked readers to take any word from the dictionary, alter it by adding,subtracting, or changing one letter, and supply a new definition. Here are the winners:
1. Cashtration: The act of buying a house, which renders thesubject financially impotent for an indefinite period of time
2. Ignoranus : A person who's both stupid and an asshole
3. Intaxication: Euphoria at getting a tax refund, which lastsuntil you realize it was your money to start with.
4. Reintarnation: Coming back to life as a hillbilly
5. Bozone: The substance surrounding a stupid person that stopsbright ideas from penetrating; the bozone layer, unfortunately, showslittle sign of breaking down in the near future.
6. Foreploy: Any misrepresentation about yourself for the purposeof getting laid
7. Giraffiti: Vandalism spray-painted very, very high
8. Sarchasm: The gulf between the author of sarcastic wit and the person who doesn't get it
9. Inoculatte: To take coffee intravenously when you are running late
10. Osteopornosis: A degenerate disease (This one got extra credit)
11. Karmageddon: It's like, when everybody is sending off all these really bad vibes, right? And then, like, the Earth explodes and it's like, a serious bummer
12. Decafalon: The grueling event of getting through the day consuming only things that are good for you
13. Glibido: All talk and no action
14. Dopeler effect: The tendency of stupid ideas to seem smarter when they come at you rapidly 15. Arachnoleptic fit: The frantic dance performed just after you've accidentally walked through a spider web
16. Beelzebug: Satan in the form of a mosquito, that gets into your bedroom at three in the morning and cannot be cast out
17. Caterpallor: The color you turn after finding half a> worm in the fruit you're eating


The Washington Post has also published the winning submissions to its yearly contest, in which readers are asked to supply alternate meaningsfor common words.

And the winners are:
1. Coffee: the person upon whom one coughs
2. Flabbergasted: appalled by discovering how much weight one hasgained 3. Abdicate: to give up all hope of ever having a flat stomach
4. Esplanade: to attempt an explanation while drunk
5. Willy-nilly: impotent
6. Negligent: absentmindedly answering the door when wearing onlya nightgown
7. Lymph: to walk with a lisp
8. Gargoyle: olive-flavored mouthwash
9. Flatulence: emergency vehicle that picks up someone who hasbeen run over by a steamroller 10. Balderdash: a rapidly receding hairline
11. Testicle: a humorous question on an exam
12. Rectitude: the formal, dignified bearing adopted by proctologists
13. Pokemon: a Rastafarian proctologist
14. Oyster: a person who sprinkles his conversation withYiddishisms
15. Frisbeetarianism: the belief that, after death, the soulflies up onto the roof and gets stuck there
16. Circumvent: an opening in the front of boxer shorts worn byJewish men

Forthcoming Friday

Whew, be glad I didn't post my last rant. I saved it to finish but since I'm in a better mood I won't. It only dealt with thinly veiled irritation of people too selfish or distracted with their personal fulfillment to see the pain and distress they cause their children. I see the results on a daily basis at school. That is all.

On a lighter note, I am taking a personal day from work. Baking cookies for the band students for tomorrow's field marching competition. I won't be attending but wanted to take care of their sweet tooths..teeths..uh, consumption of sugary snack foods. I know cookies and these are good cookies! My Cow Pasture cookies (no-bake oatmeal peanut butter) and sugar cookies are on my list. Maybe we had better supply toothbrushes and toothpaste for afterwards, huh?

I will be traveling to my mom's for a visit with my son. I'll travel halfway back, meeting E and her dad on Sunday at a designated pick up spot to take her back to our October family get together at Eminence, a craft show on the Jack's Fork river. Good times, good times. My mom's sibs are all down from Michigan and Ohio as well as nieces and nephews from colleges and jobs.

It's been down in the 40's this week after a cold front went through so all my houseplants that were outside had to be brought in. It is a jungle in here since they are much larger. Got to start pruning.
It's also fun to wake up in the middle of the night to a scraping or chirping sound coming from the pots. Name that vermin or insect. And then what's creepy is to get up the next morning and see soil scattered around on the floor near a pot. What went on there??!


Everybody have a nice weekend. Take it easy and love those loved ones!

Join Me All Day

AAAaahhhhhh, serenity nowwwwww.

It's my birthday all day. Come by and join me. I'm going to hang out and enjoy my day with some deserved R and R. That's all I require to make it happy. That and some mudslides or Chardonnay. And maybe some fresh salsa and chips. But that's all. Well, maybe some scratcher bingo cards. But that's all. And maybe some iced tea and a grilled burger eventually but that's all. And my Sunday paper. But really, that would be all. Later I might need a good book. That would make me happy but really I don't need anything else. A nap could be very nice but nothing else.
So anyway, just taking it easy. Stop by and kick back with me. It's a beautiful day and I'm turning the phone off, setting up the patio for a day outside. Photos to be added as the time goes by....

The first field marching competition is today. We've been up since 5 am. CRAP! I don't mind getting up that early if I don't have anywhere to go but having to rush around to get somewhere on a Saturday sucks...
Pics later today...after the trip with friends to the local winery! On second thought, it might be tomorrow.
Happy Saturday.

Finally A Friday Rant

Old News- J, E and I watched with interest the Oprah show when Dr. Oz was answering men's health questions. I was actually watching E and J as they listened to questions and answers. It was hilarious in our house during that show.
I thought it would be good for J to watch since he has the equipment they spoke of and I thought it might demystify the male to some degree for E. I was right on both counts.













I especially found useful the information that we as women worry about our cellulite far too much. Most men never even notice especially if they are "engaged" in activity- words spoken directly from men- good looking men! Other women are the general problem.

(This pic was sent in an email from my sister right after I posted. I guess it might have it's place on the list of what to wear to a visually deficient festival. )

I think men heard similar useful information from us women- We have no problem AT ALL about men's lack of hair. Receding or balding, makes no diff. I heartily agree.

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Earlier this week, I cooked dinner for my crew. I made some really yummy turkey meatballs in a mushroom sauce over rice and some steamed broccoli. My daughter drives me crazy by coming into the kitchen while it was all cooking and say" man, what or you cooking?" with a sneer on her face. Apparently it wasn't smelling all that great even though I have to say, it was de-lish. It made me so mad since they constantly grumble about what we eat. I was ready to walk out the door. Don't you get so tired of griping? I think I'll stock up on Ramen noodles and Banquet pot pies..then they can make their own stinking dinner and I can go out on the patio and have a cocktail!

I also lost it this week over the fact that my son will sit around on the computer or in front of the tv in the late evening and never once look at the time. Showers at night are a must in our house. I wait and watch and wonder if I again have to remind him of the time. And when I do he sighs a heavy sigh or grumbles EVERY TIME like it is the world on his shoulders instead of a shower. Then he goes in the bathroom and takes 30 minutes singing at the top of his lungs. GGAAAaa! (Shaking fists in the air).

But hey, I'm happy now.